19 Top Sapphic Streaming Picks For Your WLW Watchlist

Feature Image: Carles Iturbe Ferre Via iStock

It’s a cozy evening in, perhaps you are with friends, your partner…or couching it solo. With the remote in hand, you ask yourself the age-old question: what should I watch? 

You could put on a cringey cis-het focused romance reality dating show…or that comfort movie that you can recite every single line from; but what about something sapphic in nature? Sure, there are a number of cherished and adored pieces of media that we know oh so well; The L Word, But I’m a Cheerleader, Love Lies Bleeding…just to name a few. What about something less known? 

Movies

Bare 

Bare follows a young woman living in a small desert town who becomes romantically entangled with a female drifter. If you found yourself enjoying Love Lies Bleeding…chances are you’ll enjoy Bare. The contrast between the characters Pepper and Sarah feels like the ultimate lesbionic fever dream. Not to mention the fact that the movie is beautifully shot. Available to stream on Tubi.

Below Her Mouth 

I would dare to say that this is a sapphic classic that gives Blue is the Warmest Color a run for its money when it comes to sex scenes. While the plot itself is a bit cliché (ahem, straight girl falls for androgynous soft butch lesbian)…the entertainment value is very much there. Available to stream on Pluto. 

Duck Butter

If you’ve ever U-Hauled or had a 24-hour-long first date, this movie is for you. Duck Butter follows the 24-hour tryst between Sergio and Nima, who agree to spend a full day together to expedite learning everything they can about one another. Be prepared for a ride of relatability and cautionary tale tropes. Available to stream on Netflix. 

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women

This film goes out to all the polyamorous babes out there that are looking for positive throuple representation! Best of all? Professor Marston and the Wonder Women is a biographical drama about the creator of Wonder Woman and the shared romance he had with his two femme partners. The film is equal parts heartfelt and spicy. Available to stream on Tubi.

Fear Street Trilogy 

A slasher movie series that has lesbianism at the center of it all. The first movie in the series follows two teenage girls figuring out their relationship in the midst of a town curse that aggressively returns. While the second movie is not overtly queer, there is still a strong bond between sisters. The final movie focuses once again on our lesbian heroines in a time vortex that I promise is not cliché. Available to stream on Netflix.

The Favourite 

If you’re fond of period pieces and biopics, you absolutely must see The Favourite. A lesbian love triangle between Olivia Coleman, Rachel Weiss, and Emma Stone? Need I say more? Queen Anne’s relationship with her closest confidant, Lady Sarah, is threatened by the entrance of a new servant. Available to rent on Amazon Prime.

The Half of It 

A queer coming-of-age that swaps the typical romantic comedy ending for something braver. Sweet and cozy, it’s the perfect entrance into Fall film. Ellie agrees to write love letters for a jock, but what she was not suspecting was becoming friends…or falling for the crush he’s pining after. The film captures the essence of those angsty teen years and the facets of love in all its unsuspecting forms. Available to stream on Netflix.

Set it Off 

While this movie is not inherently queer, it very much still deserves a place on this list for the chemistry between Queen Latifah’s iconic character Cleo and her dreamy partner, Ursula. Set it Off follows a group of girl pals as they perform a series of bank robberies to better their lives. Make sure to have tissues nearby while watching this ’90s classic. Available to stream on Paramount+.

What Keeps You Alive 

One of my favorite sapphic horror thriller films! Jackie and Jules are a couple celebrating their first marriage anniversary together at Jackie’s secluded family cabin. As soon as they arrive, Jackie begins to show Jules an unknown dark side. What I appreciate most about What Keeps You Alive is the fact that it does not fully lean on the fact that the couple within the film is queer; they just happen to be queer characters. The film doesn’t lean on the coming out to unapproving parents storyline or even discuss their identities for that matter. Available to stream on Tubi.

Television 

High Town

This Cape Cod crime television show follows Jackie Quiñones, our queer protagonist and service agent whose life is in utter disarray, as she gets assigned to investigate a series of crimes in her tourist destination beach community. All while battling being newly sober. Available to stream on Netflix. 

I Kissed a Girl 

After meeting for the first time with a kiss, ten single queer women are sent to an Italian villa with their new matches. Sounds like the perfect summer, no? A heartfelt reality dating show, I Kissed a Girl is more sweet than sexy, but there’s plenty of snogging. Available to stream on Hulu.

Feel Good

Mae Martin’s semi-autobiographical series captures the peaks and valleys of queer love as well as addiction recovery. This show is equal parts hilarious and extremely relatable. Available to stream on Netflix.

The Bisexual 

Set in London, this dramedy follows Leila, a queer woman who has just ended her long-term relationship with her girlfriend…and is interested in changing things up by dating a man. This show provides us with a heavy splash of bisexual representation that is very much lacking in modern media. Available to stream on Hulu.

First Kill 

Calling all vampire-obsessed sapphics! First Kill follows a Romeo and Juliet-style whirlwind romance between vampire Juliette and vampire hunter Calliope. If you’re into young adult style reads or shows, this will be your new favorite bingeable series. Available to stream on Netflix.

Black Mirror: San Junipero 

Yorkie and Kelly find love in a neon-drenched world that is not truly as it seems. The integration of technology, the ’80s, and all things sapphic romance make this a cult classic, and with good reason! You’ll fall for the depth of both characters and their love that transcends time. Also! This is one of the few Black Mirror episodes that actually has a feel-good ending! Available to stream on Netflix.

Hunting Wives 

Think Desperate Housewives meets The L Word. This show has it all, from a whodunit to a number of salacious sapphic love triangles. Sophie and her family move from Boston to a smaller Republican Texas town. She slowly becomes fascinated by socialite Margo and her crew: the hunting wives. After an evening of debauchery, Sophie finds herself in the belly of a much more sinister plan. Available to stream on Netflix.

She’s Gotta Have It 

Spike Lee’s revised series gives Nola Darling full sexual freedom…including juicy, unapologetic queer romances. Watching a Black bisexual woman navigate Brooklyn love feels insanely relatable. If you are a fan of the movie, you’ll appreciate this reimagining of the film in the form of a two-season television series. Available to stream on Netflix.

Gentlemen Jack 

Based on the diaries of Anne Lister, this historic lesbian drama follows an English property owner and entrepreneur in the 1800s. Anne returns to her family’s estate and begins a romance with an aristocrat. The series follows Lister’s tenacious personality, breaking through societal norms, and of course…those intimate relationships with others. Available to stream on HBO Max.

True Detective: Night Country 

While not entirely or overtly queer, I had to put True Detective: Night Country on this list. Actors Jodie Foster and Kali Reis bring a queer subtext into how wild Alaska can truly be. This show is perfect for those who enjoy all things magical realism, local lore, and a touch of horror. It makes for an excellent watch as we begin to enter the chillier months of the year. Available to stream on HBO Max.